Why I don’t “deal” with the police

No offense to any one of my acquaintances who may be a
member of the police force. While writing this piece, I did a quick run-through
of my friends just to check if I have any one who is a police officer as a
friend. I wasn’t so surprised when I didn’t find any.

I really do not have stuff to do with the police or anything against them, but even
when there is a genuine reason to get their help on an issue, I honestly do not
like getting them involved. I bet many Nigerians have had bad experiences with
the police one way or another, even cases where they turn the issue around
against you. Not to say that every police officer is bad and corrupt or that
the Nigerian police cannot be of help/service to you, but most times, the case
is in the reverse.

Some of the reasons why I do not have dealings with the
police force or have hem as friends is because:

ØI don’t like their uniforms: They look “dark”,
black, dirty and evil in their uniforms and sometimes even scary. Thank God for
the new IG that introduced some new colours for top officers. Perhaps that
change can and should be spread across board to the lower ranking officers.

ØThey oppress the poor and favour the rich: Most
times, the police tend to respond more easily to, and favour those who are of
means than those who have little or nothing to offer them. Perhaps the saying "he who pays the piper dictates the tune" applies here...

ØThey must be “settled” before they settle your
matter: It’s common practice to “settle” the police before you can get them to
be involved in whatever issue you need them to resolve. Sometimes this "settlement" can be so insensitive or irrelevant to the matter that one would rather not have them settle the matter.

ØThey are insensitive: A lot of times, one would
wonder if the police officer that is supposed to attend to your complain is
even listening to what you are saying, is empathic about your situation, or is
even considerate about you. All they seem to care about is that you "write a statement", "submit bail", "enter the cell" or simply dole out "egunje".

ØThey are never there when you need them most:
How many times have we called on the police when we had an emergency and
hoped/wished they came, only to have them come minutes or hours after the
situation must have calmed or the emergency dissipated, to arrest innocent
members of the public.

ØTheir vehicles always end up in tatters: Seems
like they never really carry out routine maintenance of their vehicles as they
are always getting new ones after the old ones have gotten really bad. A new
vehicle in the hands of the police barely has a life span of more than 5 years(I stand to be corrected on that one). Perhaps a little maintenance culture on their part would have their vehicles lasting longer and looking newer and nicer.

ØA couple more reasons that I may not be able to
list hear for avoidance of being arrested for “unscrupulous claims”, “unfounded
allegations”, or seen as demeaning the police force.

However, in spite of these, I believe that our kids should
be inspired enough to choose joining the police as a dream job. I’m yet to meet
a child who when asked what he/she would like to be would say a “police
officer”. I’ve heard of kids who got a thorough beating from their parents for
even considering the idea of being a police officer in the future. I believe
that our police force can be reformed to such a point that the impression
people have about them would be changed and taking policing as a profession
would be seen as something noble.

It should be the goal of every police officer to do their
jobs with the with such attitude disposition, integrity and mindset that the eyes of society are on them and that
posterity holds their profession in very bad light and that it is up to them to change
that negative perception.

It is my sincere desire that you guys (the police) would
improve and be like the top-class police in other parts of the developed world
where people are inspired to serve by the attitude, disposition, actions and
behavior of the police officers. I will consider dealing with the police if you
guys would do the following:

oBe decent in dressing and appearance, look and
dress better

oBe more humane, sensitive and have human
affection

oRespond promptly to crime when called and not
run into hiding or give flimsy excuses

oMaintain vehicles to look new and clean always

oHelp kids cross the roads safely between traffic

oAsk how you can help you when you see members of
the public stranded in a public place and be of service to them

oDo not demand bribes and also refuse collecting
bribes and tips even when offered willingly

oDemonstrate the values of service, and integrity
which you profess in you motto/mission statement to Nigerians and the general public.

Perhaps the police force can then become my “friend”… Until
then… *straight face* *eyes rolling*